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In vivo modulation of gap junctions and dye coupling between B-cells of the intact pancreatic islet.

The extent of gap junctions and dye coupling between insulin-producing B-cells was analyzed on islets of Langerhans isolated from adult rats treated for one day with glibenclamide, an insulin secretagogue, or diazoxide, a blocker of insulin release, or a combination of the two drugs. Glibenclamide treatment was associated with a marked depletion of the islet insulin content, an effect which was blocked by pretreatment of the rats with diazoxide. Diazoxide alone caused a marked increase in the plasma glucose level, and a decrease in the level of circulating insulin and in the hormone content of the B-cells. Quantitative analysis showed that (1) under control conditions, B-cells are connected by minute gap junctions (as evaluated on freeze-fracture replicas) and show a nonuniform and apparently restricted dye coupling (as determined by microinjection of the low-molecular-weight fluorescent probe Lucifer Yellow CH); (2) each of the three treatments tested significantly increased the relative and absolute gap junction area of the B-cells and the number of detectable, dye coupled B-cells per microinjection. After treatment with glibenclamide alone or with diazoxide plus glibenclamide, a 1.5-1.8-fold increase in gap junction area and a 2.7-3.7-fold increase in the number of dye-coupled B-cells were observed. In contrast, following treatment with diazoxide alone, gap junctions and dye coupling were found increased 1.8 and 8.7 times, respectively, as compared with control values.

Animals↗

[The influence of the fluorine-containing activators of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate sensitive potassium channels on the oxidative phosphorilation].

The cardioprotective mechanism of KATP channel openers and especially their influence on mitochondrial respiration has not been clarified yet. In this article we investigated the effect of DiazoFm and DiazoFp, the new fluor-containing analogues of diazoxide and the potential mitochondrial KATP channel openers, on the oxidative phosphorylation in the isolated mitochondria. It was shown that the influence of KATP channel openers on ADP-stimulated oxygen consumption (State 3) depended on the substrates we used (succinate or 2-oxoglutarate sodium). We have shown that the depression of State 3 was less when we used DiazoFm (30 MM) and DiazoFp (30 MM) in comparison with Diazoxide in experiments where succinate was used. The fluor-containing KATP, channels openers did not significantly change the activity of succinate dehydrogenase in comparison with diazoxide (it decreased succinate dehydrogenase activity by 27%). Thus, the fluor-containing analogues of diazoxide did not significant influence on the complex II of the respiratory chain. In the other experiments when we used 2-oxoglutarate sodium as an oxidative substrate, DiazoFp increased ADP-stimulated oxygen consumption by 33%. All the studied KATP openers have an uncoupling effect, regardless the substrates we used. This effect was more significant when we used succinate as a substrate. We have shown that the uncoupling effect of oxidative phosphorylation is a consequence of K channels activation. This statement was proved by 5-hydroxydecanoate (200 MM) with depressed influence of Diazoxide and its fluoring-containing analogues. Conclusion. The fluor-containig KATP channels openers had not direct influence on the respiratory chain in mitochondria, but activation mitochondrial KATP channels by them lead to uncoupling phosporylation and respiration.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Treatment of hyperinsulinism after partial pancreatectomy: medical or surgical?

A 21 year old male patient with hypoglycemia secondary to hyperinsulinism had no palpable adenoma at surgery, and failed to respond to a partial (75%) pancreatectomy. Subsequently, he was begun on oral Diazoxide. Soon after initiation of Diazoxide he developed a viral pneumonitis, and because of hyperglycemia, the Diazoxide was temporarily discontinued. He has been treated since June of 1975 with Diazoxide, 100 mg, three times daily. He is asymptomatic, completely rehabilitated, and physically active at work for 10 hours daily. Diazoxide therapy may be an option worth considering even in benign states of hyperinsulinism when surgery has failed to correct the process.

Adult↗

Pharmacologic manipulation of the microcirculation in cutaneous and myocutaneous flaps in pigs.

The vascular effects of isoxsuprine, diazoxide, and isoproterenol were studied in arterial buttock flaps and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps in pigs. Capillary blood flow to the skin and muscle of these flaps was measured by the radioactive microsphere (15-mu diameter) technique 6 hours postoperatively under pentobarbital anesthesia. It was observed that isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, was not effective in augmentation of skin blood flow in the arterial buttock flaps. However, isoproterenol significantly increased capillary blood flow to the arterialized portion of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps compared with controls. Isoxsuprine and diazoxide (vascular smooth muscle relaxants) significantly (p less than 0.05) increased total capillary blood flow to the skin of arterial buttock flaps and to the skin and muscle of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps. However, the increase in capillary blood flow occurred mainly in the arterialized portion of these flaps. The capillary blood flow, which was supplied by the small arteries in the distal portion of the arterial buttock and latissimus dorsi flaps, was not increased by treatment with isoxsuprine or diazoxide. Therefore, there was also no increase in the maximum distance of capillary blood flow from the pedicle to the distal end of the flaps. These observations led us to hypothesize that different sizes (diameters) of arteries in the skin and muscle have different reactivity (or sensitivity) to vasodilatory drugs. In the present experiment, the large dominant artery of the arterial buttock and latissimus dorsi flaps responded to isoxsuprine or diazoxide (vascular smooth-muscle relaxants), resulting in an increase in blood supply to the capillaries in the proximal portion of the flaps. On the other hand, the small arteries in the distal portion (random portion) of these flaps were not sensitive to isoxsuprine or diazoxide. Therefore vasodilation did not occur, and there was no increase in blood supply to the capillaries in the distal portion of arterial buttock and latissimus dorsi flaps. This explanation also lent support to our previous report that treatment with isoxsuprine did not augment skin viability in the distal portion of arterial buttock and latissimus dorsi flaps. It is suggested that research in pharmacologic manipulation of skin blood flow and viability in skin flap surgery should emphasize the sensitivity of small arteries to various drug actions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

The potential antidiabetic activity of some alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonists.

The effect of alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonists, yohimbine and efaroxan, on the plasma glucose and insulin levels was studied in non-diabetic control, type-I (insulin-dependent) and type-II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic rats. Pretreatment with either yohimbine or efaroxan potentiated glucose-induced insulin release in non-diabetic control rats and produced an improvement of the oral glucose tolerance and potentiated glucose-induced insulin release in type-II but not in type-I diabetic rats. Treatment with either yohimbine or efaroxan reduced the plasma glucose level and increased the plasma insulin level of non-diabetic control and type-II diabetic rats but not of type-I diabetic rats. Effects of efaroxan were more marked. Pretreatment of non-diabetic control and type-II diabetic rats with either yohimbine or efaroxan inhibited clonidine-induced hyperglycaemia and suppressed or reversed clonidine-induced hypoinsulinaemia. Also, pretreatment of these animals with either yohimbine or efaroxan enhanced the hypoglycaemic and insulinotropic effects of glibenclamide. The combination of glibenclamide and efaroxan led to a synergistic increase in insulin secretion, while that of glibenclamide and yohimbine led to an additive increase. The hyperglycaemic effect of diazoxide in non-diabetic control and type-II diabetic rats was inhibited by pretreatment with either yohimbine or efaroxan. The hypoinsulinaemic effect of diazoxide in these animals was antagonized and reversed by pretreatment with yohimbine and efaroxan, respectively. In type-I diabetic rats, there was no change in the plasma glucose and insulin levels induced by the treatment of animals with each of clonidine or diazoxide alone or in combination with either yohimbine or efaroxan. Glibenclamide produced a slight decrease in the plasma glucose level of type-I diabetic rats, at the end of the 120 min period of investigation but there was no change in the plasma insulin level. Pretreatment of these animals with either yohimbine or efaroxan produced no change in glibenclamide effects. Additionally, bath application of efaroxan or glibenclamide inhibited the relaxant effects of different concentrations of diazoxide on the isolated norepinephrine-contracted aortic strips, while the application of yohimbine produced insignificant changes. The combination of glibenclamide and efaroxan led to complete inhibition of the relaxant effects of different concentrations of diazoxide, while that of glibenclamide and yohimbine did not produce such an effect. It is concluded that yohimbine, via blockade of postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors, and efaroxan, via blockade of postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors and adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels in the pancreatic beta-cell membrane, produce insulinotropic and subsequent hypoglycaemic effects.

Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists↗

A new benzothiadiazine derivative, LN 5330: effects on pancreatic hormones.

LN 5330 is a new benzothiadiazine which is a structural analogue of diazoxide. Its effects in vivo were studied on blood glucose levels and insulin, glucagon and somatostatin secretion in normal dogs, and in vitro on glucagon and insulin secretion from the isolated perfused rat pancreas. The results were compared with those obtained with diazoxide at equimolar dose or concentration. In the normal anaesthetized dog having a T-shaped catheter inserted in the pancreaticoduodenal vein, the infusion of LN 5330 (87.8 mumol/kg for 20 min) induced a progressive increase in blood glucose levels, a rapid decrease in insulin and somatostatin output rate, an immediate increase in pancreatic glucagon secretion, and a delayed decrease of arterial blood pressure. The equimolar dose of diazoxide provoked the same effects on blood glucose levels, insulin and somatostatin output, but a marked decrease in glucagon output and in arterial blood pressure. In the isolated rat pancreas perfused with 8.3 mmol/l glucose, the infusion of LN 5330 (440 mumol/l for 30 min) induced a drastic fall in insulin and a rapid and persistent increase in glucagon output. This stimulatory effect on glucagon secretion was not found with diazoxide at equimolar concentration. These findings show that LN 5330 is a substance which is distinct from diazoxide and interesting because of its double action: inhibition of insulin secretion and stimulation of glucagon secretion.

Animals↗

Cryptolepine-induced vasodilation in the isolated perfused kidney of the rat: role of G-proteins, K+ and Ca2+ channels.

The isolated perfused kidney of the rat was used to examine the contribution by guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding (G-) proteins, K+ and Ca2+ channels to the vasodilator actions of cryptolepine (5-methylquindoline). In normal Krebs-Henseleit buffer (4.7 mM KCl), cryptolepine elicited dose-dependent reductions in perfusion pressure of phenylephrine-preconstricted kidneys. The reductions in perfusion pressure by cryptolepine at bolus doses of 2.5, 5, and 10 micrograms were -18.0 +/- 3.4, -30.6 +/- 5.3, and -38.3 +/- 6.8 mm Hg, respectively (n = 19). In K(+)-free (0 mM KCl) Krebs-Henseleit solution, the vasodilator response to cryptolepine was reduced by 44.7 +/- 5.7% (n = 5; P < 0.01). The addition of ouabain (10(-4) M) further reduced cryptolepine-induced vasodilation to 63.0 +/- 7.2% (n = 11: P < 0.01) of the control. A combination of both conditions did not abolish the vasodilator responses to cryptolepine, suggesting the involvement of additional mechanisms. In 80, as opposed to 20 mM KCl, the reductions in perfusion pressure by cryptolepine, 2.5, 5, and 10 micrograms were markedly reduced to -0.8 +/- 0.8, -2.3 +/- 1.4, and -4.0 +/- 2.1 mm Hg, respectively (P < 0.01; n = 6). Responses to acetylcholine and diazoxide, an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent K+ channel activator, were also markedly reduced, suggesting the involvement of K+ channels for these agents. Furthermore, tetraethylammonium (5 and 10 mM), a non-specific K+ channel blocker, inhibited the vasodilator responses to cryptolepine (n = 5; P < 0.01) and to diazoxide and acetylcholine in a dose-related manner. However, glibenclamide (5 and 10 microM), an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, inhibited the vasodilator responses to diazoxide and acetylcholine but was without effect on cryptolepine-induced vasodilation. This suggests that cryptolepine activates K+ channels which are tetraethyl ammonium- but not glibenclamide-sensitive. In pertussis toxin-treated rats, the vasodilator response to cryptolepine was not affected while that to acetylcholine and especially diazoxide was markedly inhibited. This suggests that, unlike diazoxide and acetylcholine, the K+ channels activated by cryptolepine are not coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins. In the presence of verapamil (5 microM) and cobalt chloride (1 mM), Ca2+ channel blockers, the vasodilator response to cryptolepine was inhibited (n = 5; P < 0.01), suggesting that Ca2+ flux across membranes is also involved in cryptolepine-induced vasodilation in the rat kidney.

Alkaloids↗

Combined pharmacological preconditioning with a G-protein-coupled receptor agonist, a mitochondrial KATP channel opener and a nitric oxide donor mimics ischaemic preconditioning.

1. Although pharmacological preconditioning (PPC) has emerged as an alternative to ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) in cardioprotection, the efficacy of PPC compared with IPC has not been investigated. Because IPC is mediated by complex signalling cascades arising from multiple triggers, we have hypothesized that combined PPC is necessary to mimic IPC. 2. Isolated and perfused rat hearts underwent IPC by three cycles of 5 min ischaemia and 5 min reperfusion before 30 min global ischaemia followed by 120 min reperfusion. Adenosine (30 micromol/L), diazoxide (50 micromol/L) and s-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; 50 micromol/L) were added for 25 min just before (pretreatment modality) or 45 min before (PPC modality) the index ischaemia. 3. Ischaemic preconditioning significantly improved isovolumic left ventricular (LV) function and reduced infarct size. Although pretreatment with adenosine, diazoxide or SNAP alone was capable of reducing infarct size, PPC with each drug alone or in a combination of two drugs except for diazoxide plus SNAP failed to reduce infarct size. In contrast, PPC in combination with adenosine, diazoxide and SNAP (triple combination PPC) conferred significant improvement of LV function and reduction of infarct size that was as effective as IPC. 4. Cardioprotection afforded by triple combination PPC was abolished by the Gi/o-protein inhibitor pertussis toxin, the mitochondiral KATP channel inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate or the nitric oxide (NO) scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl imidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO). 5. Protein kinase C (PKC)-epsilon in the particulate fraction was activated throughout preconditioning ischaemia and reperfusion. Although PKC-epsilon was activated during treatment with adenosine, diazoxide or SNAP alone, it was inactivated after washout. In contrast, PKC-epsilon remained activated after triple combination PPC. The PKC inhibitor chelerythrine abolished activation of PKC-epsilon and cardioprotection afforded by IPC and triple combination PPC. 6. These results demonstrate that combined PPC with a G-protein-coupled receptor agonist, a mitochondrial KATP channel opener and an NO donor is necessary to mimic IPC and such synergistic cardioprotection is associated with enhanced and sustained activation of PKC-epsilon.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effects of tolbutamide on vascular ATP-sensitive potassium channels in humans. Comparison with literature data on glibenclamide and glimepiride.

Sulfonylurea (SU) derivatives exert their hypoglycemic effect by blockade of adenosine-5'-triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in the beta-cell of the pancreas. Interestingly, KATP channels also occur in the cardiovascular system, where they are thought to play an important role in cardioprotective mechanisms against ischemia. We have recently shown that the classical second generation SU-derivative glibenclamide is able to block vascular KATP channels in man, whereas the newly developed second generation derivative glimepiride was devoid of this property. The aim of this study was to determine whether the first generation SU derivative tolbutamide has KATP channel blocking properties in humans. In a group of 12 healthy male non-smoking volunteers, we investigated whether therapeutic concentrations of tolbutamide were able to inhibit the forearm vasodilation in response to the infusion of the KATP channel opening drug diazoxide into the brachial artery. Changes in forearm blood flow were recorded by venous occlusion mercury-in-silastic strain-gauge plethysmography. Diazoxide alone increased the forearm blood flow ratio dose-dependently by ultimately 691 +/- 198%. A second diazoxide infusion in the presence of tolbutamide revealed a comparable vasodilator response with a percentage increase in forearm blood flow ratio of ultimately 542 +/- 111%. This response did not differ from the vasodilator response to diazoxide alone. The present study shows that therapeutic concentrations of tolbutamide are not able to attenuate the vasodilation caused by the KATP channel opener diazoxide in man. When compared with published data on second generation SU derivatives, tolbutamide shows an intermediate position between glibenclamide (with significant blockade of vascular KATP channels) versus glimepiride (with no blockade at all). It remains to be determined whether these acute effects of SU derivatives on pharmacological opening of forearm vascular KATP channels can be extrapolated to the chronic effects of these drugs on ischemia-mediated opening of myocardial KATP channels during treatment of NIDDM patients.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Prolonged hyperinsulinism and hypoglycemia. In an asphyxiated, small for gestation infant. Case management and literature review.

The authors describe a term female, asphyxiated, small for gestational age (SGA) infant with documented hyperinsulinism and hypoglycemia occurring at approximately 45 hours of age. The hypoglycemia was refractory to a high rate glucose infusion and steroid administration but responded to diazoxide. The subsequent hospital course was complicated by right-sided heart failure and sepsis. With the onset of sepsis, a transient hyperglycemia was noted that required intermittent insulin therapy for 10 days. Hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinism reemerged and responded to diazoxide therapy. An attempt to discontinue diazoxide at age 6 months was aborted at 2 weeks when hyperinsulinism and hypoglycemia recurred. The infant required diazoxide for 7 more months, then she recovered without having any sequelae. The review of this uncommon hypoglycemia etiology in an SGA and asphyxiated infant and the merits of long-term diazoxide treatment are discussed.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗

[Role of gap junction in ischemic preconditioning].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of gap junction in ischemic preconditioning (IPC). METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a 30 min coronary artery occlusion followed by 4 h of reperfusion (I/R). Rats were divided into seven groups: I/R, IPC/R, IPC/R + 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (mitochondrial ATP sensitive potassium channel antagonist), I/R + diazoxide (mitochondrial ATP sensitive potassium channel agonist), I/R + 5-hydroxydecanoic acid + diazoxide, I/R + 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (gap junction blocker) and I/R + 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid + 5-hydroxydecanoic acid. Hemodynamics and myocardial infarct size were measured and connexin43 phosphorylation and subcellular distribution were determined by quantitative immunoblotting and confocal immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Infarct size was reduced in IPC/R, I/R + diazoxide and I/R + 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid group (13.34% +/- 7.87%, 11.02% +/- 2.24%, and 15.03% +/- 11.35%, respectively; P < 0.001 vs. I/R group: 45.81% +/- 7.91%). 5-hydroxydecanoic acid abolished the cardioprotective effects of IPC and diazoxide (46.57% +/- 5.36% and 47.36% +/- 3.17%; P > 0.05 vs. I/R) but not the effects of glycyrrhetinic acid (14.60% +/- 7.36%; P < 0.001 vs. I/R). Phosphorylation of connexin43 was significantly increased, dephosphorylation and connexin43 intracellular redistribution significantly decreased (Cx43 size in the cellular membrane 1.00% +/- 0.35% and 0.83% +/- 0.31%, P < 0.001 vs. I/R: 0.19% +/- 0.06%) by IPC and diazoxide and these effects could be abolished by 5-hydroxydecanoic acid. CONCLUSION: Ischemic preconditioning could reduce myocardial infarction size by activating mitochondrial ATP sensitive potassium channel and modulating connexin43 phosphorylation and internalization.

Animals↗

Developmental downregulation of ATP-sensitive potassium conductance in astrocytes in situ.

In many neural and non-neural cells, ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels couple the membrane potential to energy metabolism. We investigated the activation of K(ATP) currents in astrocytes of different brain regions (hippocampus, cerebellum, dorsal vagal nucleus) by recording whole-cell currents with the patch-clamp technique in acute rat brain slices. Pharmacological tools, hypoglycemia and specific compounds in the pipette solution (cAMP, UDP), were used to modulate putative K(ATP) currents. The highest rate of K(ATP) specific currents was observed with a pipette solution containing cAMP and external stimulation with diazoxide (0.3 mM). The diazoxide-activated current had a reversal potential negative to -80 mV and was inhibited by tolbutamide (0.2 mM). We found that not all cells activated a K(ATP) current, and that the portion of cells with functional K(ATP) channel expression was developmentally downregulated. Whereas diazoxide activated K(ATP) currents in 57% of the astrocytes in rats aged 8-11 days (n = 21), the rate decreased to 38% at 12-15 days (n = 29) and to 8% at 16-19 days (n = 12). No significant difference was observed for the three brain regions. In recordings without cAMP in the internal solution, only 21% (12-15 days; n = 19) or none (16-19 days; n = 7), respectively, showed a potassium current upon diazoxide application. This metabolically regulated potassium conductance may be of importance, particularly in immature astrocytes with a complex current pattern, which have a relatively high input resistance: K(ATP) currents activated by energy depletion may hyperpolarize the cells, or stabilize a negative resting potential during depolarizing stimuli mediated, e.g., by glutamate receptors and/or uptake carriers.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Sulphonylurea-sensitive channels and NO-cGMP pathway modulate the heart rate response to vagal nerve stimulation in vitro.

Sulphonylurea-sensitive K(+)channels (K(ATP)) have been implicated in the release of acetylcholine (ACh) from the vagus nerve in the heart. Our aim was to establish the functional significance of this and to test whether this modulation could interact with stimulation of the NO-cGMP pathway that facilitates the decrease in heart rate (HR) in response to vagal nerve stimulation (VNS). We studied the effect of activation (diazoxide, 100 microM) and inhibition (glibenclamide 30 microM or tolbutamide 5 microM) of K(ATP)channels, and activation of the NO-cGMP pathway with the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 20 microM) or the cGMP analogue, 8-Br-cGMP (0.5 m M) on the HR response to VNS in the isolated guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) double atrial/right vagus preparation (n=40). Tolbutamide increased the bradycardia in response to vagal stimulation at 3 and 5 Hz (P<0.05); effects that were reversed by diazoxide. Glibenclamide also significantly increased the HR response to VNS at 1 and 3 Hz (P<0.05). Diazoxide alone significantly attenuated the HR response to VNS at 5 Hz (P<0.05). Neither glibenclamide nor diazoxide affected the HR response to carbamylcholine (CCh, 50-200 n M). In the presence of a maximal dose of tolbutamide, SNP or 8-Br-cGMP further increased the HR response to VNS at 5 Hz (P<0.05). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that inhibition of sulphonylurea-sensitive channels can increase the HR response to VNS by a pre-synaptic mechanism, and that this modulation may be independent of activation of the NO-cGMP pathway.

Acetylcholine↗

Interaction of sulphonylurea derivatives with vascular ATP-sensitive potassium channels in humans.

Cardiovascular adenosine-5'-triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels have been reported to play an important role in endogenous cardioprotective mechanisms. Sulphonylurea derivatives can inhibit these cardioprotective mechanisms in animal models. We investigated whether therapeutic concentrations of sulphonylurea derivatives can block vascular KATP channels in humans. The forearm vasodilator responses to administration of the specific KATP channel opener diazoxide into the brachial artery of healthy male volunteers were recorded by venous occlusion plethysmography. This procedure was repeated with concomitant intraarterial infusion of:1) the sulphonylurea derivative glibenclamide (0.33 or 3.3 micrograms. min-1. dl-1, both n = 12), 2) the new sulphonylurea derivative glimepiride (2.5 micrograms.min-1. dl-1, n = 12) or 3) placebo (n = 12). The effects of glibenclamide on the vasodilator responses to sodium nitroprusside were also studied (n = 12). Glibenclamide significantly inhibited the diazoxide-induced increase in forearm blood flow ratio (ANOVA with repeated measures: p < 0.01). During the highest diazoxide dose this ratio (mean +/- SEM) was lowered from 892 +/- 165 to 449 +/- 105%, and from 1044 +/- 248 to 663 +/- 114% by low- and high-dose glibenclamide, respectively. In contrast, neither glimepiride nor placebo attenuate diazoxide-induced vasodilation. Furthermore, glibenclamide did not affect nitroprusside-induced vasodilation. We conclude that therapeutic concentrations of the classical sulphonylurea derivative glibenclamide result in significant blockade of vascular KATP channels in humans. The newly developed glimepiride seems to be devoid of these properties.

Adult↗

Glucose-clamp by artificial pancreas in the study and management of a patient with insulinoma.

Four euglycemic glucose-clamp studies by artificial pancreas (Biostator, Miles) have been performed during prolonged fast before and after pharmacological treatment in a patient with insulinoma. In the basal state a high glucose infusion rate (8.9 g/h) was unable to achieve the preselected blood glucose plateau of 80 mg/100 ml. The plasma insulin levels during this first glucose-clamp were comprised between 18 and 50 microunits/ml. On the first day of diazoxide treatment (300 mg/die),. the glucose infusion rate decreased to 6.4 g/h, without variation in plasma insulin level, thus suggesting a diazoxide effect independent of the inhibition of insulin secretion. After 7 days of diazoxide treatment, a further reduction of glucose infusion (5.8 g/h), together with a lowering of plasma insulin levels (7-18 microunits/ml) was observed. Both in the basal state and during diazoxide treatment a circadian pattern of glucose requirement was noted, with lower glucose need and plasma insulin levels during the night. Surgery was undertaken with glucose-clamp by artificial pancreas; blood glucose level being higher than the preselected value of 80 mg/100 ml, simple monitoring of glycemia was performed. The excision of a single adenoma was followed by a substantial rise in blood glucose 20 min later. An additional glucose-clamp, performed 3 months after surgery showed a dramatic fall of the glucose infusion rate (2.9 g/h) needed to achieve the preselected blood glucose plateau, confirming the completeness of the intervention. This experience shows that glucose-clamp by artificial pancreas may be of great value in the study as well as in the pharmacological and surgical treatment of patients with insulinoma.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Cell-type specific depression of neuronal excitability in rat hippocampus by activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

The contribution of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels to neuronal excitability was studied in different types of pyramidal cells and interneurones in hippocampal slices prepared from 9- to 15-day-old rats. The presence of functional K(ATP) channels in the neurones was detected through the sensitivity of whole-cell currents to diazoxide, a K(ATP) channel opener, and to tolbutamide, a K(ATP) channel inhibitor. The percentages of neurones with K(ATP) channels increase in the sequence: CA1 pyramidal cells (37%)<<CA3 pyramidal cells (86%) approximately CA1 interneurones of the stratum radiatum (87%)<CA1 interneurones of the stratum oriens (92%). Activation of K(ATP) channels by diazoxide strongly hyperpolarized stratum radiatum interneurones by a mean of -18.6 mV and effectively suppressed spontaneous and induced action potentials. Pyramidal cells containing a lower density of K(ATP) channels were hyperpolarized by diazoxide by only -4.0 mV (CA1) and -7.9 mV (CA3), and the frequencies of spontaneous and induced action potentials decreased less than in interneurones. All effects of diazoxide were reversed by tolbutamide. Our results show that K(ATP) channels have profound effects on the excitability of hippocampal neurones and imply that channel activation during ischaemia or hypoxia depresses the activities of excitatory pyramidal cells to a much lesser extent than those of inhibitory interneurones. This distinct cell-type specific depression of neuronal excitability could account for the generation of seizures and the selective neuroprotection of interneurones in the hippocampus during periods of energy depletion.

Action Potentials↗

Opening of ATP-sensitive potassium channels causes generation of free radicals in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Recent evidence suggests that opening of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels in cardiac muscle triggers the preconditioning phenomenon through free radical production. The present study tested the effects of K(ATP) channel openers in a vascular smooth muscle cell model using the fluorescent probe MitoTracker (MTR) Red trade mark for detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Rat aortic smooth muscle cells (A7r5) were incubated with 1 micro M reduced MTR (non-fluorescent) and the MTR oxidation product (fluorescent) was quantified. Thirty-minute pretreatment with either diazoxide (200 micro M) or pinacidil (100 micro M), both potent mitochondrial K(ATP) channel openers, increased fluorescent intensity (FI) to 149 and 162 % of control (p < 0.05 for both), respectively, and the K(ATP) channel inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate (5 HD) blocked it. Valinomycin, a potassium-selective ionophore, raised FI to 156 % of control (p <: 0.05). However, 5 HD did not affect the valinomycin-induced increase in FI. Inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport (myxothiazol) or uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation (dinitrophenol) also blocked either valinomycin- or diazoxide-induced increase in FI, and free radical scavengers prevented any diazoxide-mediated increase in fluorescence. Finally the diazoxide-induced increase in fluorescence was not blocked by the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, but was by HMR 1883, a putative surface K(ATP) channel blocker. Thus opening of K(ATP) channels increases generation of ROS via the mitochondrial electron transport chain in vascular smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, a potassium-selective ionophore can mimic the effect of putative mitochondrial KATP channel openers. We conclude that potassium movement through KATP directly leads to ROS production by the mitochondria.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Ca2+-transients induced by K+ channel openers in isolated coronary capillaries.

To study the role of endothelial ATP-sensitive K+ channels in the regulation of vascular tone we examined the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in coronary capillaries consisting only of endothelial cells. Coronary capillary fragments were isolated enzymatically from the guinea-pig heart and [Ca2+]i was determined by microfluorometry of fura-2 loaded cells. Low concentrations of the K+ channel opener diazoxide, which caused pronounced glibenclamide-sensitive hyperpolarization in capillaries, induced a rapid, transient rise in [Ca2+]i followed by a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i (19 of 40 experiments). [Ca2+]i in the endothelial cells increased from 32 +/- 7 nM at rest to 66 +/- 11 nM at the peak (n = 19). One third of the [Ca2+]i-transients showed irregular oscillations of [Ca2+]i. No significant difference in the [Ca2+]i-response induced by 100 nM or 1 muM diazoxide was found. Similar results were obtained with the K+ channel opener rilmakalim. Simultaneous measurements of the membrane potential and [Ca2+]i with fluorometric methods indicated that the hyperpolarization but not the [Ca2+]i-transient could be repeatedly induced in a single capillary by the K+ channel openers. Electrophysiological recordings of the membrane potential using the "perforated patch" method (n = 4), showed that rilmakalim (1 muM) induced hyperpolarization of capillaries towards the K+ equilibrium potential, confirming our fluorometric measurements. In conclusion, for the first time, these data indicate that K+ channel openers induce [Ca2+]i-transients in microvascular endothelial cells. This raises the possibility that these drugs not only act as synthetic vasoactive factors via hyperpolarizing smooth muscle cells but also via NO release of microvascular endothelial cells. Interestingly, only 100 nM diazoxide was sufficient for a maximal response, suggesting the expression of a new type of KATP-channel in coronary capillaries characterised by high sensitivity to diazoxide.

Animals↗